The heir to the British throne, Prince William, graced the “green carpet” at the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in Cape Town on Wednesday, November 6. This event is the highlight of his four-day trip to South Africa, which focuses on environmental sustainability.
Held at the purpose-built Earthshot Prize Dome beside Cape Town Stadium, the venue was designed and engineered locally in South Africa. The Earthshot Prize, an initiative Prince William established through his Royal Foundation in 2020, aims to reward innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The idea for the prize was conceived during his visit to Namibia and Tanzania, where he witnessed the positive impact of local communities on wildlife conservation and environmental preservation.
“During my travels, I saw stunning wildlife, but what truly struck me was the incredible impact local people were having on their environments,” Prince William shared. “Thanks to their creativity, biodiversity is returning, animals are being protected, and jobs are being created.”
The Earthshot Prize awarded $1.2 million in grants to five organizations from a pool of 15 finalists. Among the winners were GAYO, a Ghanaian group focused on waste management, and KeepItCool, a Nairobi-based initiative aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and promoting fair trade for small-scale farmers and fishermen.
In his address, the Prince urged others to join the global movement for climate innovation: “We are here to champion the dreamers, thinkers, and innovators who are building a sustainable world,” he said. “When they succeed, we all succeed.”
This year’s ceremony marked the first time the event was held in Africa, highlighting the continent’s growing role in tackling global environmental issues. Hannah Jones, CEO of the Earthshot Prize, emphasized the importance of empowering young people to drive change. “These awards spotlight Africa and send a message to the world that it’s time for young people to reclaim their future through innovation,” she said.
The ceremony served as a call to action for the world to support environmental solutions that promise a better future for all.
